Fine 18th Century Framed Chinese Silk Sleeve Embroidered with Cranes, Clouds and

Very good early lowboy with oak lined drawer and hand azed elm three boarded top set on well turned legs and retaining original brass split pin handles. Pegged throughout and with c...

A very attractive and early pair of giltwood mirrors with pine carved frames with gesso and gilt overlay. The frames with foliate scrolls and open flower heads, vines and each with crest of a beautiful skylark – a symbol of love and joy. Each mirror with four original candle sconces and green/gold painted reserves bordering the mirror plates. The mirror plates are in very good order with no significant depletions or fogging and with a soft silvery hue and clear reflection. The frames with small losses, old repairs/faults but in very good condition for age. A really good and true pair of early 19th Century...

Framed Chinese Silk Embroidered Robe with Flying Cranes and Auspicious Clouds, Circa Early 20th Century A stunning example of Chinese textile artistry, this richly embroidered silk robe...

A silk collar from China dated to late Qing Dynasty circa 19th century. Known as Yunjian (Cloud Shoulder or Cloud Collar), this multi-lobed textile piece was a detachable collar worn around the shoulders as part of the traditional Chinese garment accessory. With its origin dated back to the Han Dynasty and being used until the end of Qing Dynasty, the form evolves with time, but much of the ornamentation and fundamental symbolism remains the same. This striking example features a two-tiered design with seven lobes on each circle, all of which are variations of the shape of auspicious "ruyi", which represents the head of Lingzhi mushroom, a symbol of longevity. The inner lobes feature elaborate embroidery floral design with long and short satin stitches. Notably, one panel has a double gourd design, the symbol of fortune. The outer lobes show a simpler but bolder vision with the outlines of the designs lineated with metallic threads buddled in chain stitches. Small jade beads were used to link the piece together and most of them still remain. The piece as a whole has a very pleasant lilac purple color, delicate with the jade beads. In Qing Dynasty, the silk collar with high quality was worn by noble or aristocratic women. The red color and the lotus boy symbol indicate that it was most likely part of the fashion accouterment worn during wedding ceremony. The collar is beautifully float mounted within a double conforming mat in a giltwood frame and wood backing. A stunningly presented period piece with story to tell. Reference: For a collection of Chinese embroidered collars...